Season Series: This is the fifth of six meetings between the Northeast Division rivals. Buffalo is 2-1-1 against the Bruins this season.

Big Story: The Sabres are banging on the door in the Eastern Conference playoff race. When Jason Pominville beat Cam Ward 58 seconds into overtime Wednesday night to give Buffalo a 3-2 victory against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Sabres moved within two points of eighth-place Winnipeg.

Team Scope:

Sabres: Buffalo has won seven of its last 10 games, which has allowed it to move three games above the .500 mark. Thomas Vanek and Tyler Myers also beat Ward on Wednesday night, while Ryan Miller was solid again in a 22-save performance.

"It's huge. We're making steps," said Pominville, who also added an assist. "We're playing better hockey. We've dug ourselves in a big hole that isn't easy to get ourselves out of. But we believe."

Bruins: Boston breathed a collective sigh of relief Wednesday when it learned that Marty Turco cleared waivers. The veteran goaltender signed with the Bruins on Monday after the club lost Tuukka Rask likely for the remainder of the regular season with a strained groin.

"Like I said from the onset, it's a special feeling for me," Turco said. "I couldn't pick a better team to come to. Although it wasn't any wishful thinking on my part -- any team would be great -- the NHL is a special place, especially with the Bruins."

Who's Hot: Miller has won seven of his last nine starts. … Bruins forward Tyler Seguin has 4 goals in his last four games, while captain Zdeno Chara has a goal and 7 assists in his last seven contests. David Krejci is 4-2-6 in his last four games, while Milan Lucic is 1-4-5.

Injury Report: Buffalo will be without Cody McCormick and Jochen Hecht, who are both out with concussions. … Besides Rask, the Bruins are also missing Daniel Paille (upper body), Andrew Ference (lower body), Rich Peverley (MCL), Nathan Horton (concussion) and Marc Savard (concussion).

Stat Pack: Buffalo scored twice on the power play Wednesday night for the first time in 31 games.

Puck Drop: "This is our playoffs. We've put ourselves on a nice run, but it's one game at a time and being ready to pick up the two points and move on to the next game." -- Sabres coach Lindy Ruff